Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies might just be the perfect little slice and bake cookies for the holidays, I’ll be making them right through to when I snag that last bag of fresh cranberries of the season (always a sad moment!)

we fell in love with cranberry orange shortbread cookies at first bite
These unique cranberry orange shortbread cookies are made with fresh tart cranberries and lots of orange zest, which gives them that wonderful holiday flavor combination we’ve come to love. They have a vivid cranberry flavor in a classic buttery shortbread base. They’ll brighten up any holiday assortment.
what you’ll need for cranberry orange shortbread cookies
- fresh cranberries ~ this is one case where I don’t recommend frozen because they will release too much moisture into the dough. Could you use dried cranberries? Yes, dried cranberries will work too.
- fresh orange zest ~ I actually used tangerine zest because I have a bowl of beauties on my counter, and tangerine has a distinctive citrus flavor that I love.
- butter ~unsalted
- sugar ~ granulated
- flour ~all purpose
- vanilla extract ~ if you prefer you could use almond extract, or both!
make cranberry orange cookies ahead
The good news: shortbread cookies freeze beautifully, and you can freeze them before or after baking.
to freeze before baking
- wrap the log of dough really well, I like to wrap in plastic, then in foil, and then put in a heavy duty zip log bag. When ready to bake, leave the log in the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
- you can also pre-slice your cookies and freeze. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then remove to a heavy duty zip lock baggie. Force any air out before popping in the freezer.
to freeze baked cookies
- let them cool completely, then layer them, separated by sheets of parchment paper, in a sturdy freezer container and freeze.
tips for making fresh cranberry cookies
- I like to chop my cranberries in a small food processor, I just pulse to chop them finely. Some texture is fine, there will be a few bigger pieces. You can also use a sharp knife.
- Be sure to start with room temperature butter. Soft butter will incorporate into the flour to form a dough whereas cold butter won’t. This is especially important with shortbread dough that doesn’t include any extra liquid.
- Be sure to bring your dough together completely ~ you don’t want any dry flour or crumbly bits left. You can let the processor bring it together or you can do that final bit with your hands on a lightly floured surface. Shortbread dough does not contain egg or other liquid so it’s essential that you combine the soft butter and the flour completely to form the dough.
- Thicker sliced cookies will bake up softer, and thinner ones will crisp a bit. You can also control the texture by how long you bake the cookies. I suggest baking one or two first as a test. I like mine melt-in-my-mouth tender, but you might like your crispier.
yes ~ use dried cranberries too!
For those of you who can’t find fresh cranberries, you can use dried.
variation ideas for cranberry orange shortbread cookies
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.
Add white chocolate chips.
Bake the dough in a 9×9 square baking pan.
Dip half the cookies in melted white chocolate.
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Video
Equipment
- waxed paper or plastic wrap for wrapping your log of dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- zest of one orange or tangerine (just the orange part, not the bitter white pith)
- 1 heaping cup fresh cranberries*
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Rough chop the cranberries and set aside.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and zest together until well combined. I do this in my food procesor.
- Add the flour and extract, and pulse about 10 times, then run the machine briefly, just until the dough comes together into a lump or lumps.
- Add the cranberries and pulse just until they are distributed, but don't process too much.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and bring together with your hands. Work it just until it is no longer crumbly.
- Form the dough into a 10-12 inch log. The longer your log the smaller your cookies will be. Wrap the log in plastic, using the plastic to smooth out the dough and help form your log. Twist the ends tight to seal.
- Chill the dough for at least 3 hours, or overnight. I like to wrap up my log in a folded towel ~ this helps keep it round as it chills.
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough into 1/3 inch slices and place on the cookie sheet, two inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or slightly longer if you like your cookies crisper. They will be pale on top and just turning golden on the bottom. Note: if your cookies are smaller or thinner than mine, they may take less time to cook.
- Let them cool for a couple of minutes on the baking sheets and then tranfer them to a cooling rack. Be careful, the cookies are soft and delicate when hot and will firm up as they cool.
Notes
Nutrition
more shortbread cookies to try
- New Fallen Snow Cookies
- Maple Walnut Shortbread Cookies
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Walnut Shortbread Cookies
- Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Really enjoyed this recipe! Easy to make, I used the zest from one large naval orange and it was plenty. I just used a hand mixer to blend all ingredients,(was too lazy to bring out the food processor) it worked fine. Will definitely be making more of these as they won’t last long.
I wanted to rate these as a 5, yet they came out bland. Did I shape the dough too long? it was so soft, so I dusted the counter. I put in zest from large orange, and used 1/2 almond, 1/2 vanilla extract. Perhaps too much flour? I wanted to love these; any suggestions would be welcomed!
I love the fresh cranberries in this cookie and they are so tender. I had some citrus sugar I’d made when I had a surplus of lemons so I used that as the sugar and also added the zest of an orange and some tangerines. Yummy! Another winner.
I can not wait to make these. I make a lot of Cookies for the Holidays. I have a Recipe for a Cookie that is Over 45 years Old. It makes 100 or more at One Time. Last year I Only made about 2500.Yes that is Right 2500. I am use to making 3500 to 4000 of just One Cookies and Decorate them also. But had some Major Surgery so could not. But I am Ready for this year. I have all ready made Over 500 in the Past 3 Days. Thank you for Sharing and can wait to Make These. Happy Holidays From Florida.
Happy baking Susie ~ and definitely check back all season for new cookie recipes, I love them too!
These cookies sound great. I’m anxious to try them!
Do you think this recipe would work with dried cranberries? Where I live, we can’t get fresh but can get dried cranberries…
You could use them but of course it would be a very different bread.
I was thinking of making with dried cranberries also. I’m going to rehydrate in cranberry juice for a little while. We’ll see how that works. p
Am curious, did your rehydrate method worked, Barb ?
Its OK Barb, I found the answer.
Maria :Dmm
Loved these! I added more zest, turned out great!
I don’t know why but I’ve always been intimidated by shortbread recipes. I had leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving and found your recipe. It’s so easy, smells amazing and simply delicious! A new staple in my baking repituior. Thank you! Time to explore your other shortbread!
Can’t wait to make for this Christmas. Something different. Thank you
What would happen if I made the dough, but froze it instead of fridge, and sliced and baked them at a later date? Not sure how the cranberries would do.
The cranberries will be finely chopped, so the dough freezes well.
My husband didn’t care for these, saying they didn’t have enough flavor. I think they might be better if I used the rind of two oranges instead of one, but for now, I’m going to make an orange glaze or frosting to put on them to amp up the orange flavor a little more. Other than that, I really enjoyed them, so yay, more for me!